Grant helps police enforce crosswalk violations in downtown Taunton

Taunton police are cracking down on drivers who won’t stop for pedestrians trying to use downtown crosswalks.“Often when someone steps in the crosswalk, vehicles still continue through,” said Taunton Police Sgt. Mike Grundy. “Even if they just step off, it’s dangerous. We find a lot...

Taunton police are cracking down on drivers who won’t stop for pedestrians trying to use downtown crosswalks.

“Often when someone steps in the crosswalk, vehicles still continue through,” said Taunton Police Sgt. Mike Grundy. “Even if they just step off, it’s dangerous. We find a lot of times people are still going through when people are stepping off the sidewalk, not so much when in the middle. People have to absolutely be a little more mindful.”

Grundy oversees the use of a $5,000 Pedestrian Grant to enhance the Taunton Police Department’s ability to enforce violations when motorists don’t stop for people walking in the crosswalk. Grundy said the grant has allowed him to assign targeted patrols with the goal of discouraging failure to yield for pedestrian violations.

“It’s more so to educate the public,” Grundy said.

On Monday, for example, there were eight motor vehicle stops for crosswalk violations within a two hour period just at 30 Taunton Green and Court Street.

Grundy said with the grant, he has to space out the targeted enforcement patrols throughout the year, supplementing the three full-time traffic officers employed by the Taunton Police Department.

“We’re trying to spread it out over time,” he said. “We have traffic officers, but obviously they have other duties. We have two traffic officers during the day. The grant really helps with the enforcement.”

Grundy warned motorists in Taunton to be aware of their surroundings and to wait for all pedestrians using the crosswalk, no matter if they are already in the middle of the crosswalk or just stepping off the curb. Otherwise, Grundy said, violators will face a $200 fine.